Bunker Fuel

ENGINE: East of Suez Bunker Fuel Availability Outlook (25 June 2024)

VLSFO and HSFO availability improves in Singapore; low demand in Japanese ports; prompt supply is tight in Fujairah and Khor Fakkan.

Published

10 months ago

June 26, 2024

Admin

The following article regarding regional bunker fuel availability outlook for the East of Suez region has been provided by online marine fuels procurement platform ENGINE for publication on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

VLSFO and HSFO availability improves in Singapore
Low demand in Japanese ports
Prompt supply is tight in Fujairah and Khor Fakkan

Singapore and Malaysia

In Singapore, most suppliers now indicate lead times of up to nine days for VLSFO, although some can manage deliveries within as little as four days. This represents a significant improvement compared to the previous week, when traders suggested longer lead times ranging between 7-17 days.

HSFO supply has also improved in the port, with lead times decreasing from last week's 8-10 days to 4-7 days. For LSMGO, lead times remain relatively stable, ranging between 2-4 days – similar to last week.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 12% higher so far this month compared to May, Enterprise Singapore’s latest data shows. Despite a 53% decline in the port’s net fuel imports this month, fuel oil stocks in Singapore have risen above 20 million barrels. Both fuel oil imports and exports have decreased, with imports falling by a substantial 2.27 million bbls, while exports declined by a more modest 177,000 bbls.

The port's middle distillate stocks have declined by 11% this month and are at their lowest since February.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available, and certain suppliers can offer prompt deliveries for smaller parcel sizes. However, HSFO remains scarce at the port.

East Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO supply in Zhoushan remains strong, with short lead times of 2-5 days, virtually unchanged from last week. However, HSFO availability in Zhoushan remains tight as most suppliers are running low on stocks. Most suppliers are recommending lead times of 7-10 days for this grade.

In Northern China, both VLSFO and LSMGO grades are available at Dalian port. Similarly, these grades are readily available in Qingdao and Tianjin, although HSFO supply is limited in these ports. In Shanghai, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains good, while HSFO supply is scarce. In Fuzhou and Xiamen, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available. Conversely, in Guangzhou and Yangpu, prompt availability of both low sulphur fuel grades is restricted.

In the Taiwanese ports of Hualien, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Keelung, both VLSFO and LSMGO grades remain readily available, with short lead times of 2-4 days, consistent with last week.

In Hong Kong, availability of all bunker fuel grades remains good. Most suppliers recommend lead times of 3-5 days, down from about seven days last week.

In South Korea, bunker demand has been picking up. All bunker fuel grades are available in South Korean ports, with most suppliers recommending lead times of 6-8 days, virtually unchanged from last week. Strong winds and high waves could potentially affect bunker operations at the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu between Friday and Sunday.

In Japan, bunker demand continues to be sluggish due to high bunker prices. Tokyo’s VLSFO was priced $44/mt higher than Singapore’s and $57/mt higher than Zhoushan’s VLSFO on Tuesday. Lead times vary across key Japanese ports: around five days in Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, and Yokkaichi; approximately seven days in Tokyo and Chiba; and longer periods of 9-15 days in Mizushima and Oita.

The port of Hai Phong in Vietnam is bracing for inclement weather on Friday and Saturday, which is expected to complicate bunkering there.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are available in the ports of Kwinana, Fremantle, and Kembla, with typical lead times of 7-8 days.

In New South Wales, Sydney has readily available LSMGO, while HSFO is mostly available upon inquiry. In Victoria, both Melbourne and Geelong offer good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, though prompt HSFO supply can be limited.

In Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone maintain sufficient stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times of 7-8 days, but HSFO availability is constrained in Brisbane.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland have ample VLSFO supply, and LSMGO supply is decent in Auckland. However, adverse weather conditions are forecast between Tuesday and Wednesday, which may impact bunker operations.

South Asia

In several Indian ports, including Kandla, Tuticorin, Chennai, Cochin, Visakhapatnam, and Haldia, VLSFO and LSMGO availability has been restricted due to supply shortages.

Adverse weather conditions are predicted in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam ports in India on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively, potentially disrupting bunker operations.

Bad weather is also forecast in Sri Lanka’s Colombo on Wednesday and Thursday, which might affect bunker deliveries.

Middle East

Despite low bunker demand, prompt availability of all grades continues to be limited in Fujairah, with most suppliers requiring lead times of 5-7 days, consistent with last week.

A similar situation exists in the UAE port of Khor Fakkan, where several suppliers are recommending lead times of 5-7 days.

In Saudi Arabia's Jeddah port, there is an abundant supply of VLSFO and LSMGO, while VLSFO is tight in nearby Djibouti. LSMGO is more readily available in Djibouti.

In Iraq's Basrah, VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, but both grades are tight in Ras Laffan, Qatar.

LSMGO is readily available in the Omani ports of Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 26 June 2024

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Bunker Fuel

FOBAS: Chemical contamination and operational problems in Istanbul

FOBAS has tested fuel samples from vessels, which bunkered in Istanbul, that have reported problems with fuel injection equipment seemingly caused by a substance sticking and seizing the jerk type fuel pumps.

Published

26 minutes ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Tuesday (29 April) released a bulletin regarding testing of fuel samples from different vessels, which bunkered in Istanbul, that have reported problems with fuel injection equipment seemingly caused by a substance sticking and seizing the jerk type fuel pumps:

In recent days, FOBAS has tested fuel samples from different vessels that have reported problems with fuel injection equipment seemingly caused by a substance sticking and seizing the jerk type fuel pumps. These vessels bunkered fuel in March and April this year from Istanbul.

These fuels have been further investigated with extended chemical analysis showing a number of chemical species present with some at very high levels.

Various chemicals were found including 4-Cumyl Phenol and Cyclohexane Diol at high levels. Resin acids and Acrylates were also identified along with unusually high levels of DCPD (Dicyclopentadiene), Indene and trace levels of Tetrachloroethylene.

Not all these chemicals may be contributing to the problems, but they are in a pattern seen in some problem fuels from Antwerp and Rotterdam in 2024 and a number of problem fuels from Houston in 2023 and 2018. Some of these chemicals can polymerise and are used in the manufacture of resins and plastics and may be reacting together under the heat and pressure of the fuel injection system.

These fuels were found to be on-spec based on standard routine analysis. However, there are some particular parameters of note. Viscosity was low at around 40cSt, acid numbers were high (1.50 – 2.50mgKOH/g) and all fuels were VLSFO with sulphur content <0.50%. This low viscosity and high acid number pattern aligns with other contaminated fuels seen in Houston in 2023).

We would suggest that if you have bunkered in the last 2-3 months in Istanbul to be particularly cautious with the use of the fuel. In particular if the fuel has a low viscosity, around 50cSt or lower, high acid number >1.00mgKOH/g or high sediments, we would suggest to discuss further testing options as this problematic fuel may not be isolated to only two vessels.

It should also be noted and suppliers reminded that any fuel purchased against the ISO8217 standard must meet the general requirements of clause 5 as well as limits in the characteristics tables. Clause 5 includes the statement that the fuel should be a “homogeneous blend of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum refining” and be free from any substance or chemical waste that “jeopardizes the safety of the ship or adversely affects the performance of the machinery”.

Photo credit: Hans Reniers on Unsplash
Published: 30 April, 2025

Technology

TFG Marine to launch of ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after Singapore success

Kenneth Dam announced the successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

Published

27 minutes ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

TFG Marine to launch ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after success in Singapore

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Tuesday (29 April) announced the company’s successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

A first for the Middle East region following the successful deployment of the same technology earlier this year by TFG Marine at the Port of Singapore. The eBDN trial in Oman was completed in collaboration with ZeroNorth and SGTraDex, using the Singapore standards as a benchmark.

Kenneth Dam, Global Head of Bunkering, said: "We’re excited to partner with ZeroNorth, Fratelli Cosulich Group Bunkers, SGTraDex and SOHAR Port and Freezone to shortly introduce e-BDNs to our customers here in Oman.”

“This technology, that we have already successfully introduced in Singapore is yet another step in modernising our industry. It will streamline the bunker delivery process, cut administrative burdens, enhance digital documentation and help build a smarter, more connected bunkering sector.”

“We remain committed to establishing e-BDNs as a global standard for bunker fuel delivery and will continue to work closely with port authorities to advocate for and deploy this technology across our operations.”

Dam made the announcement at the Oman Maritime, Ports and Energy Forum, during the panel discussion on The Transformative Power of Data: The Evolving Role of Digitalisation in Shipping and Bunkering.

Dam added the fully digital solution — accessible through TFG Marine’s mobile app and integrated with SGTraDex’s digital infrastructure, — will enable the inclusion of additional data, such as mass flow meter readings during fuel deliveries.

“By integrating this technology, we will drive significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and sustainability across our operations, complementing the global mass flow meter rollout across our fleet and reinforcing TFG Marine’s position at the forefront of the modern bunkering industry,” he said.

Manifold Times previously reported TFG Marine announcing the introduction of ZeroNorth’s e-BDNs for its customers in Singapore during 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON) by the end of 2024.

In November last year, TFG Marine announced its first digitalised marine fuel delivery in Singapore using electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs).

Its team supplied VLSFO bunker fuel to Pacific Basin Shipping Limited’s Illovo River bulk carrier, marking the first of four bunkering deliveries that month where this new technology was successfully deployed.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 30 April, 2025

Biofuel

Hercules Tanker Management vessel “Mount Kibo” takes on B30 bio bunker fuel

HTM said its tanker was successfully supplied with B30 bunkers by tanker “Hercules Sky”, another HTM-owned vessel and operated by Peninsula, marking the first biofuel supply to the HTM fleet.

Published

34 minutes ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

Hercules Tanker Management vessel “Mount Kibo” takes on B30 bio bunker fuel

Hercules Tanker Management (HTM) on Tuesday (29 April) announced that its tanker Mount Kibo has been successfully supplied with B30 bunkers by tanker Hercules Sky, another HTM-owned vessel which is operated by Peninsula.

The operation marked the first biofuel supply to the HTM fleet.

HTM is the shipping venture launched last September by John A. Bassadone, founder and CEO of independent marine fuel supplier Peninsula.

HTM said the operation carried out in the Strait of Gibraltar aligns with the recent discussions at MEPC 83, where key decisions were made to advance maritime decarbonisation, including new fuel standards and a global pricing mechanism for emissions.

“Additionally, this initiative supports the objectives of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which promotes the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels and clean energy technologies for ships,” it said.

“By utilising biofuels, we are contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the industry's transition towards cleaner energy solutions.”

Photo credit: Hercules Tanker Management
Published: 30 April, 2025